Campbelltown Council has spent more than $2 million to purchase two of the most historic buildings in the region. The council was successful in bidding for The Old Railway Hotel and The Coach House on Queen Street, Campbelltown at a public auction last Thursday. The almost 200-year-old properties – at 288 and 298 Queen Street, across from Campbelltown Mall – were acquired as part of the council’s efforts to preserve the heritage of the area. Campbelltown mayor George Brticevic said the purchase was a great outcome for the community. “We are delighted that we have been successful in buying these properties which form an important part of the Queen Street heritage precinct and lend character to our main street,” he said. “Both buildings are among the earliest surviving buildings in Campbelltown and they have played an important role in our city’s past. “These buildings are widely recognised as having significant historic value to the early history of Australia and we are committed to conserving these valuable pieces of history.” The former owners – the Benevolent Society – put 288, 292 and 298 Queen Street on the market because they had “outgrown the space”. The Georgian terraces were constructed about 1840 and have remained stand-out structures in the Campbelltown CBD ever since. The Office of Environment and Heritage website lists the buildings as “among the first to be acquired and restored by the state government for the purpose of conserving the state’s environmental heritage and therefore represent an impact landmark in the history of conservation”. They were added to the state heritage register in April, 1999. The council purchased 288 Queen Street for $1.42 million and 298 for $950,000. The third terrace was sold to an unknown buyer for $1.295 million. Campbelltown Council’s director of city governance, Phu Nguyen, said the council hoped to secure all three historic buildings. “Council did bid for 292 Queen Street but was unsuccessful,” he said. Cr Brticevic said the successful purchases came with an added bonus. "Importantly, one of the historic buildings also contains an artwork that is of significance to our Aboriginal community,’’ Cr Brticevic said. “We will consult with the women who were involved in this artwork and other Aboriginal women in the community about what will happen with this artwork in the future.’’ The council plans to undertake restoration work on both buildings following the settlement and is currently considering a range of options for their long-term use. About 50 people attended the auction on-site last Thursday.

The row of Georgian terraces in Campbelltown. The council purchased 288 and 298 Queen Street. Pictures: Chris Lane

Campbelltown Council has spent more than $2 million to purchase two of the most historic buildings in the region.

The council was successful in bidding for The Old Railway Hotel and The Coach House on Queen Street, Campbelltown at a public auction last Thursday.

The almost 200-year-old properties – at 288 and 298 Queen Street, across from Campbelltown Mall – were acquired as part of the council’s efforts to preserve the heritage of the area.

Campbelltown mayor George Brticevic said the purchase was a great outcome for the community.

“We are delighted that we have been successful in buying these properties which form an important part of the Queen Street heritage precinct and lend character to our main street,” he said.

“Both buildings are among the earliest surviving buildings in Campbelltown and they have played an important role in our city’s past.

“These buildings are widely recognised as having significant historic value to the early history of Australia and we are committed to conserving these valuable pieces of history.”

The former owners – the Benevolent Society – put 288, 292 and 298 Queen Street on the market because they had “outgrown the space”.

The Georgian terraces were constructed about 1840 and have remained stand-out structures in the Campbelltown CBD ever since.

The Office of Environment and Heritage website lists the buildings as “among the first to be acquired and restored by the state government for the purpose of conserving the state’s environmental heritage and therefore represent an impact landmark in the history of conservation”.

They were added to the state heritage register in April, 1999.

The council purchased 288 Queen Street for $1.42 million and 298 for $950,000. The third terrace was sold to an unknown buyer for $1.295 million.

Campbelltown Council’s director of city governance, Phu Nguyen, said the council hoped to secure all three historic buildings.

“Council did bid for 292 Queen Street but was unsuccessful,” he said.

Cr Brticevic said the successful purchases came with an added bonus.

"Importantly, one of the historic buildings also contains an artwork that is of significance to our Aboriginal community,’’ Cr Brticevic said.

“We will consult with the women who were involved in this artwork and other Aboriginal women in the community about what will happen with this artwork in the future.’’

The council plans to undertake restoration work on both buildings following the settlement and is currently considering a range of options for their long-term use.